Treatment of inflammatory diseases

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the field of inflammatory diseases of the peripheral nervous system. More particularly, it concerns methods for treating inflammatory diseases of the peripheral nervous system by modulating sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor activity. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating a subject with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) or other autoimmune neuropathies comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of FTY720.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of treating a subject with an autoimmune disorder of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) selected from antibody mediated neuropathy, vasculitic neuropathy, an autoimmune condition affecting a peripheral neuromuscular junction, or an autoimmune disorder of the PNS by inhibiting demyelination or axonal damage of the PNS comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator, wherein the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator is FTY720 or FTY720-P. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator is administered to the subject prior to the onset of one or more symptoms of the autoimmune disorder of the PNS. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein a symptom is selected from tingling or numbness, weakness of the arms, weakness of the legs, loss of deep tendon reflexes, fatigue, muscle atrophy, muscle pain, dysphagia, asymmetrical ptosis, diplopia due to weakness of the muscles that control eye movements, unstable or waddling gait, weakness in hands or fingers, weakness in neck, weakness in facial muscles, shortness of breath, and dysarthria. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator is administered to the subject after the onset of one or more symptoms of the autoimmune disorder of the PNS. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein a symptom is selected from tingling or numbness, weakness of the arms, weakness of the legs, loss of deep tendon reflexes, fatigue, muscle atrophy, muscle pain, dysphagia, asymmetrical ptosis, diplopia due to weakness of the muscles that control eye movements, unstable or waddling gait, weakness in hands or fingers, weakness in neck, weakness in facial muscles, shortness of breath, and dysarthria. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator is administered orally. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an immunosuppressant. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a corticosteroid. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an immunoglobulin. 
     
     
       10. A method of alleviating a symptom of an autoimmune disorder of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) selected from antibody mediated neuropathy, vasculitic neuropathy, an autoimmune condition affecting a peripheral neuromuscular junction, or an autoimmune disorder of the PNS by inhibiting demyelination or axonal damage of the PNS comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator, wherein the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator is FTY720 or FTY720-P. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein a symptom is selected from tingling or numbness, weakness of the arms, weakness of the legs, loss of deep tendon reflexes, fatigue, muscle atrophy, muscle pain, dysphagia, asymmetrical ptosis, diplopia due to weakness of the muscles that control eye movements, unstable or waddling gait, weakness in hands or fingers, weakness in neck, weakness in facial muscles, shortness of breath, and dysarthria. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator is administered orally. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an immunosuppressant. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a corticosteroid. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an immunoglobulin. 
     
     
       16. A method of prolonging time to relapse of an autoimmune disorder of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) selected from antibody mediated neuropathy, vasculitic neuropathy, an autoimmune condition affecting a peripheral neuromuscular junction, or an autoimmune disorder of the PNS by inhibiting demyelination or axonal damage of the PNS comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator, wherein the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator is FTY720 or FTY720-P. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator is administered orally. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16 , further comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an immunosuppressant. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 16 , further comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a corticosteroid. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 16 , further comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an immunoglobulin.